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Old 06-06-2008, 03:50 AM
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PANAVIA PANAVIA is offline
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Jose CA, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: SPF_R_/BRG/FRBoss302/327CI/FordEFI/Under_Car_Exh/
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--Not even going to respond to Mcdude. --those of you who know me , can vouch for my auto acumen.

Ok, so a little more research.

I have a friend with an ERA chassis in the late 500's. The brakes are front end sierras, with Jag rear, and 7/8 wilwood masters. READ: with NO vacuum assist. In a test drive this evening I hauled the ERA down from serious speeds repeatedly with NO issues.

Keep in mind my SPF just got here and it will be until January until I can drive it legally (SB100 Golden ticket award needed)

I like the build quality in the SPF, I have been favorably impressed with most things, some things are odd, but it is a "Replica, and not a Copy".

With that said, I am trying to get people to think about this issue and go from there.

Right Now: The 34mm Rear calipers I have are the same size as a econobox. they are NOT the calipers of the Superformance cars of the past. This is more of a business problem and less of a technical one in my opinion.

What We Know: SPF had some changes at the factory, in the supply chain and they went from a 4 piston wilwood dynalite, to a PBR, then to a 34mm wilwood in a matter of 50 cars or less (AFAIK)

so now, they SPF, are looking to go to a 41mm+ caliper.

as with the ERA, you can successfully fit a car with different front and rear brakes mfr's and come up with a balanced system. For instance, how many have driven a car with Front Discs and rear drums -- Same idea.

So here is what I am thinking. The wilwoods on the front look like they are of stern stuff and are up to a good task, if not better.

The rears should be larger, period, they dont need to be pretty.

I have been looking at designs and calipers for the rears. Ford Racing and SSBrakes have excellent viable solutions, that if the bracket(s) works, could be the fit.

Keep in mind, it is Nice if you can get braking manufacturer unity in the front and back braking systems in a car, but it is not mandatory.

The automotive industry is based on standards, standard pad shapes and sizes. Standard flange sizes. standard disc width. Braking internal industry standards, but still standards.

I am hoping that the 34mm willwood caliper also is the same mounting flange size as something else in the brake-ing world. The way they (ww) were advertising it on their site, it sounded like something that would bolt up to other applications.

Thoughts on a rear replacement;

1. Wilwood 44mm+ version of what they got under there.
2. Ford Racing Cobra Calipers (M-2320-CR) (may be too big)
3. SSBbrakes Force 10
4. Brembo TBD.

If you look at the PDF from WW, the 34 mm calipers mount in an odd fashion with the caliper bolts 90 degrees off from where I would expect them. the bolts are not parallel to the axle driven plane, but 90 degrees, perpendicular if you will, to it.

Also the possible flow rates needed of the master, and the fitted steel tubing may also be a hurdle as listed.

I will pull my wheel and photo the area and measure clearances to see how much real-estate we are dealing with. Most SPFs are 15" wheels, so i am sure that is hampering a solution.

The cobra mustang (a much heavier car than what we are dealing with, used the M-2300 caliper paired with a much larger Brembo front and was able to keep pace.

I think there is room for growth and I am surprised that SPF has not offered a "performance braking" option in their products, seem like an opportunity.

Am I suffering buyers remorse --NO!-- I cant wait to drive this thing.

--Steve
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Steve SPF 2734 MK3 / Brock Coupe #54- panavia.com

Last edited by PANAVIA; 10-11-2008 at 01:50 AM..
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